A string of injuries has forced the Nationals to reshuffle their bullpen several times over the last month, but the day is coming when those injured relievers all make their return, leaving the organization facing more reshuffling dilemmas.

Closer Drew Storen was back at Nationals Park today to be checked on by team doctors and trainers and said his rehab from elbow surgery continues to progress well.

Storen worked out at the Nationals' spring training complex in Viera, Fla., last week and continued his throwing program today at Nationals Park, throwing off flat ground for the second straight day for the first time since he had surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow in April.

The right-hander expects to start throwing off a mound in the "next couple weeks" and then should be able to begin a rehab assignment shortly after that. He continues to target the All-Star break for hisRead more »

Again, as I stated before this all by design … Davey's design.He wants a lefty long guy to come in after his right-handed starters. To throw off any "skewed" batting orders the managers throw up there. Because let's face it, the Nats have a great starting rotation, (sans Wang the jury is still waaaaaaaaaaaay out on that guy except in Taiwan), managers will be looking for ways to get every advantage.If the lefty medium/long guy comes in for the righty, the opposition managers may have to use their bench early. This serves to help Davey manage … its not necessarily an artifact of injuries, etc.

Maldonado goes down, and MPHRod goes on the DL for recurring psychological stress. That should free up two positions.Having 3 C's was only a temporary roster situation to see how JFlo was going to do after his hiatus with the groin problem.All the lefties are contributing. Stammen was discussed by Davey a few weeks ago as being a probable 'Cuse returnee, but his performance has been exceptional and more valuable in the BP than either Mattheus or Lidge.